#2 Terps Field Hockey Advances to NCAA Second Round with 5-0 Win Over #10 Old Dominion

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The second-seeded University of Maryland field hockey team solidly defeated No. 10 Old Dominion, 5-0, on Saturday morning at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Terps received scoring from five different players, and goalkeepers senior Kathryn Masson (Richmond, British Columbia) and junior Alicia Grater (Gilbertsville, Pa.) combined efforts for 10 saves and the shutout.

The game was evenly matched in the first half, with the only goal coming from Maryland sophomore Nicole Muracco (Sewell, N.J.) at the three-minute mark. On a dish from junior Sarah Scholl (Center Valley, Pa.), Muracco executed a dodge to get Old Dominion goalie Kelly Driscoll leaning, and slammed the ball into the right side of the cage.

The 1-0 score would stand until halftime. Maryland junior Ellen Ott (Schwenskville, Pa.) broke open a Terps' scoring spree in the second half with a penalty corner deflection for a goal at 37:16, assisted by junior Susie Rowe (London, England). Rowe got on the board again two minutes later with a successful penalty stroke, faking Driscoll to the left and flicking to the right center of the cage.

The Terps were in scoring action again in the 41st minute, when sophomore Alexis Pappas (Mount Joy, Pa.) scored her second goal of the season off of a pass into the circle by classmate Katie O'Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa.). O'Donnell would also cap off Maryland's scoring in the 47th minute with an unassisted breakaway goal, dodging past Driscoll with a hard pull to the left and scoring in the wide open cage.

Masson performed stellarly in the cage for the Terps, making eight saves and holding Old Dominion scoreless in the first 53:16 of play. Grater kept the Lady Monarchs off the board for the remainder of the game with two saves. For Old Dominion, Driscoll picked up five saves while allowing five goals scored in a full-game effort.

Head coach Missy Meharg said, "I am not surprised with the shutout because our deep defense is very strong and has been all year. We have a couple of different formations back there right now. Masson is really on her game and I am very pleased with her performance."

The win was the Terrapins' third this season against the Lady Monarchs, previously defeating Old Dominion by identical scores of 4-1 on Aug. 31 and Oct. 12 in a home-and-home series.

Maryland will move on to play in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, Nov. 11, at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex in College Park at 2 p.m. The Terps, whose record improved to 18-2 with the win against Old Dominion, will face the winner of the Penn State - Virginia first round game.